lisp

IPA/lɪsp/
KK[lˈɪsp]IPA/lɪsp/

lisp — verb

  • lisppresent simple I / you / we / they
  • lisps3rd person singular
  • lisping-ing form
  • lispedpast simple

1. to say s and z with a th-like sound instead of the usual pronunciation

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2
Definition

to say s and z with a th-like sound instead of the usual pronunciation

Example

Joaquín lisped through the school play after losing a front tooth.

intransitive: lisp through + event

Mira began to lisp when the dentist's medicine still numbed one cheek.

start to + lisp

Common collocations
  • start to lisp
  • lisp slightly
  • lisp badly
  • lisp a word
  • lisp to someone
Synonyms
  • mispronounce

    broader and can refer to any wrong pronunciation, not only this sound change

  • slur

    suggests generally unclear speech rather than one specific sound pattern

Antonyms
  • enunciate

    pronounce words clearly and distinctly

Grammar Patterns

lisp

lisp a word

lisp to + person

Usage Note

Often used without an object to describe a person's way of speaking. It can refer to a lasting speech habit or to a temporary effect from braces, missing teeth, or dental treatment.

Common Mistakes

Mira lisped me the word.
Mira lisped the word to me.
Use 'to' before the listener.

lisp — noun

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Lisp' is about one sound being produced in the wrong way, especially when s or z comes out more like th. 'Stutter' and 'stammer' are about getting stuck, repeating, or stretching sounds, not replacing one sound with another. 'Slur' is broader and usually temporary, with words running together because the speaker is tired, ill, or under the influence.

lisp ↗stutter ↗stammer ↗slur ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • have a lisp
  • speak with a lisp
  • start to lisp
  • lisp a word

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishGerman

The word goes back to Old English wlispian, with a related German verb lispen. Across these forms, the core idea stayed the same: speaking with the softened s and z sounds that define a lisp.

First known use

12th century

12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1 Noun (1)